The BBC has announced a special reunion episode of The Office to mark the 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking comedy series. The programme, part of the Remembers strand, will feature stars Mackenzie Crook and Martin Freeman looking back at the show.
The duo played Gareth Keenan and Tim Canterbury respectively in the original UK version, which first aired in July 2001. The series, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, followed the staff of the fictional paper company Wernham Hogg in Slough.
Reunion Details and Behind-the-Scenes Stories
A description for the reunion states: “It's been more than 15 years since the pair last laid eyes on each other, but the ground-breaking comedy's 25th anniversary has brought them together once again, sharing their memories of working, and laughing, alongside Ricky Gervais, co-writer Stephen Merchant, and their other leading office colleague Lucy Davis, who played the object of Tim's affections, Dawn.”
The special will include anecdotes about how Martin Freeman originally auditioned to play Gareth, how Mackenzie Crook embraced one of TV's worst haircuts, and how Ricky Gervais nearly ruined filming daily. The pair will also discuss the phenomenon of “Office-mania” at the show's peak and share views on the US adaptation.
Legacy of The Office
The Office debuted on BBC Two in July 2001, becoming a massive hit. A second series aired in 2002, followed by a Christmas special. A standalone short was also broadcast in 2013. The US version, starring Steve Carell and John Krasinski, ran for nine series from 2005 to 2013 and centred on the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Mackenzie Crook and Martin Freeman Remember... The Office will air on Wednesday, July 8 at 10pm on BBC Two and iPlayer.
